Sunday 4th June 2017 inaugurated the first Riviera Water Bike Challenge with teams of athletes, celebrities and local supporters of HSH Princess Charlene’s Foundation racing across the Mediterranean, between the city of Nice and the Principality of Monaco on Schiller S1 water bikes.
Team Foundation Francois-Xavier Mora, with captains Percy Montgomery, a retired South African rugby player, and Ryk Neethling, Olympic gold medal winning swimmer, also from South Africa were the winners of the day. The Monaco Police and Team COCC took second and third places respectively. The race took off from La Plage Beau Rivage in Nice, 21kms across the water the finish at the Yacht Club de Monaco in the Port Hercule Marina, Monaco. HSH Prince Albert II, taking part himself, opened the race alongside the nine other teams. A minute of silence was observed before the start in memory of the victims from Saturday’s terror attack in London. Gareth Wittstock, brother to Princess Charlene and former rugby player created this extraordinary event. He then developed the idea of a fundraiser, the first-ever water bike relay race, with all of the proceeds to go to his sister’s charity, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, established in 2012 to educate children in water safety and provide swimming lessons.
Monte Carlo Polo Team sponsored a team in order to support Gareth Wittstock and HSH Princess Charlene’s Foundation. Rommy Gianni, President of The Monte Carlo Polo Team Federation and Captain of the Monte Carlo Polo Team participated with Foundation Ambassador and World Champion Freediver Pierre Frolla, US Surfer Nic Lamb, Andrea Dini and Rommy Gianni’s sister Ludovica Greenwood. Rommy Gianni, Monte Carlo Polo Team, has has been a keen supporter of local charities by becoming a member of the Outward Bound Monaco Patron’s Club whose aim is to help young people fulfil their full potential. He is collaborating with Judy Churchill, Secretary General of Outward Bound to support the young emerging generation in The Principality.
